two positions we'll get a much clearer Saints read on from free agency is OT and safety. Bushrod or another UFA is signed. I can't see Charles Brown yet (tho stranger things have happened). If no vet there LT becomes a glaring big need. I wouldn't anticipate a safety unless Harper was cut for cap help. Possible but a restructure seems much more likely IMO.

One of the most respected draftniks is Scott Wright at Draft Countdown. Here's his fresh update

Hankins over Ansah #19 and Montgomery #25

The Saints were one of the leagues biggest disappointments this past season and will be selecting much earlier than anyone could have imagined. New Orleans still has no trouble moving the ball or putting points on the board but stopping others has become a serious issue. In fact, the Saints run and pass defense both ranked among the worst in the league. Needless to say New Orleans has a bunch of holes to plug on that side of the ball and it may just come down to selecting the best defender available. Johnathan Hankins of Ohio St. is an enormous 322 pound space-eater in the middle with surprising quickness and athleticism. Hankins has shown the ability to be a dominant force as a run stuffer and is more disruptive in the backfield than his pedestrian sack totals would lead you to believe. Sheldon Richardson of Missouri could be an option at defensive tackle as well. The Saints could also stand to upgrade at cornerback and despite the presence of some big names there are still some concerns at linebacker too so don’t rule that out either. So in other words, defensive line, linebacker or secondary... It is awfully difficult to imagine New Orleans going offense with this choice but if they did it would probably be for an offensive tackle if Jermon Bushrod leaves as a free agent. The Saints basically have to go defense though.

--I like Richardson a lot more than Hankins. Prefer Ansah or Montgomery over either tho

Seeing Texas Safety Kenny Vacarro stock rising. If Harper was let go, then that moves way up in 1st Rd possibility. Anyone see him play much this year?

With a 3-4 mindset, the Saints look for different types of men in the defensive front seven and barring an offensive tackle, we'd be stunned to see the Saints not begin to stock the cupboards with 3-4 type talent.

Senior Georgia DT Johnathan Jenkins is the massive nose tackle prospect the Saints will hope to see fall to them. Jenkins is the second best nose tackle prospect in the draft, behind Star Lotulelei, and at 363 pounds has that unique build to be the two-gap widebody at the heart of a 3-4. But Mickey Loomis has seen the Saints burned by a Georgia defensive tackle named Johnathan before, burning a top pick on a loafer named Johnathan Sullivan in 2003.

A dominating performance by big John Jenkins in the Senior Bowl was encouraging, as Jenkins showed off his enormous wingspan and quick feet. With his size, you can forget about academic problems that sent him the juco route to Georgia, where he played only two seasons of major college football. But unlike Sullivan, Jenkins showed more character by staying in school for his senior season.

North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams will put on a good show, but has has too long a history of slacking off to earn the love of the Saints here. An alternative to Jenkins may be Alabama DT Jesse Williams, who possesses incredible strength and a other-worldly 6'4, 320 pound frame. "The Monstar" will show well in the combine, where he will try to match a reported 4.71 40 time. That speed isn't an important stat for a nose tackle, but it's a sign of the requisite tremendous athleticism needed to play the position. Injury concerns with Williams will be checked carefully, including a knee injury suffered in December that limited him in the BCS national championship game.

In light of the transition to a new defensive front, would the Saints burn their top pick of the draft at offensive right tackle? Don't doubt it. Right tackle was a scheme-limiting protection problem for the 2012 Saints, and something they'd like not to see again. But in this scenario, there are no offensive lineman worth the value of the #15 pick. Zach Strief, good when healthy, hasn't appeared in all 16 regular season games since 2009.

Defensive end is no longer a position of need, with Brodrick Bunkley, Akiem Hicks and Cam Jordan all looking like good fits at 3-4 end. Outside linebacker, the primary source of pass rush in a 3-4, is a revolver to fire at the offense. Martez Wilson and Junior Galette appear to be the first rounds in the chamber, but the Saints will need more than two pass rushers to send from this position. Our prediction in our first mock draft, LSU's Sam Montgomery, would still fit here at 6'4, 245 pounds with a reactor of energy and aggressiveness. Other options at 3-4 OLB include: Oregon DE Dion Jordan, 6'6, 240, will be taken by a team confident his injury situation is not a major concern; quick Auburn DE Corey Lemonier, 6'4, 242, spent most of his time as a hand-down end, but has a great build for speed; Georgia LB Alec Ogletree, 6'3, 234, is an outstanding and versatile athlete as a former basketball, track, and defensive back.

3rd round (12th pick) - Washington State OLB Travis Long - 6'4, 245 Long started 47 games for the Cougars, finishing with 201 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 42 TFL. 9.5 of those sacks came as a senior, when he played 3-4 OLB as a senior. Considered a natural pass rusher with high football IQ, the disciplined Air Force family kid is too lanky and needs a pro weight room to get him ready to start. A 2011 shoulder injury and a 2012 knee injury also temper his stock, but should check out at the Combine, where he should run in the mid-4.7 40 range. Long would be a good rotational player at rush linebacker.

4th round (13th pick) - San Diego State CB Leon McFadden - All-MWC as a senior, the speedster McFadden picked off three passes against Nevada as a senior, returning two for touchdowns. Recruited as a wide receiver, switched to DB and plays aggressively and with speed. Better in zone defense at this point and not the greatest tackler, McFadden is a proven ballhawk. Not related to other NFL McFadden's, but his father was a professional baseball player in the 60s and 70s.

5th round (14th pick) - Arkansas-Pine Bluff OL Terron Armstead - Small school riser played in both the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowls in the offseason, helping raise his profile. At 6'5, 306, Armstead doesn't have the longest arms and needs to spend time in a pro weight room. Great quickness and feet gives him potential at the next level, much like other late-round prospects the Saints have developed on the offensive line.

6th round (15th pick) - Southern Methodist OLB Ja'Gared Davis - Experienced linebacker and special teamer who recorded two touchdowns, four sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 77 tackles, a blocked punt and eleven tackles for loss as a senior. Four year contributor had nine sacks as a sophomore. Has five career touchdowns as a linebacker. Helped SMU whup Fresno in the Hawaii Bowl in December.

7th round (11th pick) - Penn State ILB Michael Mauti - Mandeville, Louisiana native is son of Rich Mauti, a former Penn State alum and New Orleans Saint wide receiver. Mauti has been snake bit as a collegian - major knee injuries ended his 2009 and 2011 seasons, ankle and shoulder problems hurt him in 2009 and 2010. If not for injuries, Mauti would be considered a good inside linebacker prospect who is quick to defend the run and very smart. At 6'2, 235 pounds, Mauti would be an interesting investment in the late rounds to see what he's got left after a Sisyphean college career at Penn State.

I think this is a very realistic try given the information we have today. What I look at first is who a mocker has the Saints passing on. He has them passing on NT Hankins for OLB Jordan. I think the odds are very good the Saints will have options something like this. Choice between a top NT like Hankins, John Jenkins and a top OLB like Jordan or Mingo. NT is most essential in building a 3-4 but elite 3-4 pass rushing OLBs now contend with LTs as perhaps the most coveted players. I tend to go OLB for the value.

This one is tough, but I think we will have a more difinitive answer after FA and cuts as well as a little more commentary from Payton/Loomis. At least a hint/idea of what direction we may go. Either pick (dt/lb) is needed with the defensive transition, so I wouldn't be opposed to either though I'm leaning more towards the outside rushing LB than nose tackle. Honestly, with tez and junyah, we may have those guys and really need a space eater inside. Basically I have no fricking clue really is what I'm saying.